UK DRI at Imperial College London

From sleep to the microbiome: bringing new approaches and research tools to the study of dementia to discover new disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

• Specialisms at Imperial College London
• Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
• Epigenomic influences on risks and progression of dementia
• Roles of the microbiome in cognition and neurodegeneration
• Circadian neurobiology and mechanisms of neurodegeneration
• Neurotechnologies for targeted neuronal and glial modulation

• Read more about Imperial College London

  UK DRI at Imperial College London has innovation as its theme. This draws on the university’s unique strengths and focus on science, engineering, medicine and business. Led by Professor Paul Matthews, the research team brings novel, cutting edge approaches and research tools to the study of dementia to discover new disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. They will initially focus on the earliest pre-symptomatic stages of Alzheimer’s disease, addressing what determines the transition to neurodegeneration, but will investigate mechanisms that are likely shared across many of the dementias.

  With access to large, well characterised longitudinal cohorts the team will explore causes of individual variation in dementia within populations, looking at changes that occur across the lifespan and specifically addressing metabolic factors, the relationship with microorganisms in gut (the microbiome) and the role of sleep. The team will use a range of resources including Dementias Platform UK and the MRC-NIHR National Phenome Centre.

  UK DRI at Imperial College London will be located at the White City campus Hammersmith, London, in the Sir Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Research Hub due to be completed in 2019, alongside Imperial’s translation and innovation ‘I-HUB’.

Apply for latest jobs at Imperial College London

• Edmond and Lily Safra Fellow, UK DRI at Imperial & UK DRI at Care Research and Technology at Imperial

  With support from the Edmond J. Safra Foundation and in conjunction with the UK DRI at Imperial and the UK DRI Centre for Care Research and Technology, we are looking to appoint a new Research Fellow. We are seeking a researcher ready to take the first steps towards setting up an independent research programme. We intend to appoint a Fellow to address a broader range of interests in bioinformatics (including, e.g. specialisations in systems/computational neuroscience, ‘omics or population studies), translational molecular cell studies or advanced neuroimaging specifically for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. A research programme will be developed and managed by the Fellow with supportive mentorship from Professor Paul Matthews, Head of the UK DRI at Imperial, Professor David Sharp, Head of the UK DRI Centre for Care and Technology or Professor Paola Piccini, Head of the Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration. The goal of the Fellowship is to prepare Fellows to make the transition from a traditional post-doctoral post to becoming an independent investigator. You hold A PhD or equivalent higher research degree in a relevant field plus post-doctoral or equivalent additional research training. A previous research and publication record with evidence of potential for international excellence and leadership in the chosen area of science is also necessary. Ref: MED01244, Closing date: 8 January

• Research Associate in Circadian Biology, UK DRI at Imperial - Brancaccio Lab

  The UK DRI at Imperial is seeking an outstanding Research Associate interested in taking on a challenging role with considerable scope for independent scientific achievement and personal growth. The fellowship programme of Dr Marco Brancaccio is focused on defining the mechanisms driving circadian dysfunction in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sleep and circadian disturbances have been recently associated with the earliest preclinical manifestations of AD, in both humans and animal models of the disease. We will investigate the molecular, cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying this association, the genetic and environmental factors driving circadian dysfunction and their specific role in the AD pathogenic cascade. The long-term goal of this project is the development of novel therapeutic approaches aimed at recruiting circadian clocks in the brain for the prevention/ early intervention of AD. A PhD (or being in the final stages of completion) in neuroscience, biological sciences or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience is required. Knowledge of in vivo/ in vitro microscopy and imaging software and of research methods and statistical procedures is also needed. Practical experience in viral vector design and production (AAVs, LVs), IPSCs cultures, next generation RNA sequencing and other -OMICS techniques, live imaging, stereotaxic surgery and mouse behaviour (cognitive tests, sleep and circadian function) will be considered as an advantage. Experience in circadian and sleep research is also an advantage, but it is not strictly required. Ref: MED01436, Closing date: 5 January

  Apply to centre